HC to notify regulations to protect women employees in courts

The Delhi High Court today said it will soon notify regulations to protect women from sexual harassment in court premises in the capital.
Disposing of a PIL seeking an order to ensure safe working environment and to combat the harassment of women in various court premises, a bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justice Manmohan said, "This is a very serious issue and the administrative side of the high court is working on it."
Noting that the court needs some time to make the regulations, the bench said these will be notified after the winter vacation, which will commence from December 23, ends on January 1.

In his plea, advocate Gaurav Bansal sought formation of a committee to check harassment of women in court premises.
He said till date regulations have not been notified to ensure safe working environment for women and to combat the problem of sexual harassment in the precincts of high court and various district courts in the national capital.
Citing the Supreme Court order passed in April directing all high courts to form regulations to combat the problem of sexual harassment in court premises, the plea sought a direction to the state government and court administration to draft, notify and implement the regulations.

"It is the fundamental right of every woman to live her life with dignity as enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India," the PIL said.
It said that sensitisation against discrimination on the basis of gender, protection against sexual harassment and the right to work with dignity are universally recognised human rights by international conventions.